After a 12-year effort, The Trust for Public Land announced this week that 1,145 acres of Ophir Valley forestland are now part of the Uncompahgre National Forest.
The move allows for the protection of wildlife habitat and water quality as well as an unbroken landscape for the public to hike and explore.
In 2002, The Trust for Public Land began the push to protect the Ophir Valley, which is south of Telluride adjacent to the town of Ophir, by talking with the previous landowner.
There was local support for protection of the land from the development of cabins and second homes that could harm wildlife, water and recreation, according to a news release from the Trust.
In 2009, the Trust purchased the mining claims to ensure their protection while the Forest Service sought appropriations from Congress.
Funding to protect the valley came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the federal government program for protecting land around the nation, which uses revenues from offshore drilling. The Colorado congressional delegation also supported federal funding.
U.S. Sen. Mark Udall said he is leading the effort in Congress to support the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which helped make the Ophir Valley project a reality.
Efforts lasting more than a decade to protect the land concluded recently.
“We’re thrilled to acquire these lands for the benefit of the American people,” said Maribeth Gustafson, with the U.S. Forest Service, in the release. “Fragmented landownership patterns make it difficult to protect the breath-taking scenery, recreational access, watersheds and wildlife that are so important here.”
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said the conservation of the Ophir Valley forestlands is important to the local tourism economy and to the preservation of water and other natural resources. This conservation effort also protects the headwaters of Howard Fork, which flows into the San Miguel River.
The valley offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, cross country skiing and fishing.
“The town of Ophir is very pleased that this project – a decade in the making – is complete,” said Randy Barnes, Ophir town manager, in the news release.
